Murder suspect arrested in MH Walmart on Black Friday

A suspect in a gang-related shooting that left one dead in San Jose in May was arrested when an off-duty officer saw him shopping at the Morgan Hill Walmart on Black Friday, police said.

Jacob Haro, 18, was arrested about 11 p.m. Thursday at the store at 170 Cochrane Plaza, according to a press release from Morgan Hill police Sgt. Troy Hoefling.

An off duty Santa Clara County juvenile probation officer was shopping at the store when he recognized Haro as a suspect in the May 26 shooting, police said. Haro had an outstanding warrant out of the San Jose police department for murder and attempted murder.

Morgan Hill police responded to the store and covered all six exits, Hoefling said. The store was full of shoppers for the annual Black Friday sale.

Morgan Hill Officer William Jurevich recalled seeing a “wanted” flyer with Haro’s picture on it from a previous posting, and recognized the suspect inside the store, police said.

Haro was taken into custody without incident and without posing a threat to other Walmart customers, police said.

He was later booked into Santa Clara County Main Jail.

The May 26 shooting for which Haro was wanted happened on the 1600 block of Virginia Avenue in San Jose, according to police.

The incident happened about midnight. When officers responded to numerous 911 calls reporting the shooting, they found two victims, including a 16-year-old San Jose resident who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The second victim was treated at a local hospital with a gunshot wound that was not life threatening, police said.

The San Jose police investigation found the two victims were standing near the corner of King Road and Virginia Avenue when the suspect approached them, according to authorities. The suspect, later identified as Haro, fired several rounds, striking both victims.

The suspect or suspects then fled the scene, police said.

Anyone with information about the case may call the San Jose police department at (408) 277-5283, or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867, or visit svcrimestoppers.org.